Police say they found a can of self-defense spray similar to this one on one of three suspects accused of stripping a rental U-Haul van.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police found a can of "tear gas" self defense spray after arresting a group of men stripping a U-Haul van, authorities allege.

The incident happened on the 200 block of Grandview Avenue in Mariners Harbor at about 10:15 p.m. Friday, according to court papers.

When police arrived on Grandview, they found Basheer Lewis, 32, Moussa Lewis, 32, and Xavier Lewis, 27, walking to and from the vehicle, which had its doors open, the front panel detached, wires detached from the radio and odometer, a socket wrench in the center console and screws and bolts on the floor, court papers allege.

It's not clear how the three men are related -- Basheer hails from Levittown, Penn., Moussa from the 700 block of Henderson Avenue in West Brighton, and Xavier from Brooklyn, according to court papers.

Basheer Lewis had rented the van from a U-Haul lot adjacent to a Getty service station at 1881 Forest Ave., according to a law enforcement source. Court papers allege that his rental ended at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Police found a can of Sabre Military CS Tear Gas and Oleoresin Capsicum mix under the passenger seat, according to court papers. That's a potent blend of pepper spray and "mace" marketed as a self-defense spray. Sabre's website states that the item is not legal for sale in New York, in addition to Hawaii, Michigan and Wisconsin.

"The spray is mine," Xavier Lewis told police, according to court papers.

All three men face charges of fourth-degree attempted grand larceny, third-degree auto-stripping, possession of burglar's tools and third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle. Xavier Lewis is also charged with unlawfully possession noxious materials.